Rampage Ramblings with Matt L. Stephens: Fresno State

Want to get involved? Go to coloradoan.com, click on the live blog and follow along during each CSU football game. Interact with CSU football reporter Matt Stephens before, during and after every CSU football game. Below are excerpts from Saturday's blog discussion:

Roflcopter: CSU's game plan should lean to running the ball. FS leads the FBS in interceptions. Phillip Thomas is a nightmare out at free safety.

Matt L. Stephens: That's what Colorado State University tried to do Saturday night, running it early and often for a total 27 attempts but only gained 55 net yards. If you exclude the Rams' final drive, which was pretty much a desperate shot at avoiding the shutout, CSU only threw the ball 25 times, 23 of which were from the quarterback (Pete Kontodiakos completed a pass to Bernard Blake and Donnell Alexander threw an interception).

I understand trying to establish the run so you can have a balanced offensive approach, but Fresno State's defense wasn't having any of it. CSU average two yards per carry.

Thomas, as you expected, had a great game. He led the Bulldogs on defense with eight tackles, a sack, tackle for loss, interception and forced a fumble.

Bilbo: Is the stadium full? Like three-fifths or what? I am not really much of a fan but really am starting to follow more.

MS: I am sure CSU appreciates a new fan in these hard times. Newbies are few and far between in this Bold New Era. Where stadium attendance is concerned, I have to give the fans a little credit coming out for homecoming. Official attendance was 25,814, which is 79 percent of capacity. Just a little shy of four-fifths full, which is 80 percent.

However, once halftime rolled around, that number dropped dramatically. I understand it was cold, but CSU was playing a great game to that point - fans just didn't care to stick around. Midway through the fourth quarter, the CSU student section looked like it had less fans than Rocky Mountain High School did at the end of its game Friday, despite losing 49-10.

The Lobos should be proud.

NJ Ram: New question. Will CSU manage to score any points this game? I'm not seeing it happening, sadly.

MS: Turns out, CSU was able to score one last touchdown to avoid its first shutout since losing the 2010 Border War, 44-0. Give credit to the Rams for not giving up. M.J. McPeek hit Charles Lovett with a 12-yard scoring pass at the end, but it was mop-up time for the Fresno State defense.

And fireworks for scoring a meaningless touchdown? I'm sure they were primed to blow whenever CSU first got on the board, but really? Come on.

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On the Matt

CSU basketball, football and volleyball reporter Matt L. Stephens dishes on all things related to recruiting, the Mountain West and, of course, the Rams. Follow him on Twitter @MattStephens.

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Rampage Ramblings with Matt L. Stephens: Fresno State

Want to get involved? Go to coloradoan.com, click on the live blog and follow along during each CSU football game. Interact with CSU football reporter Matt Stephens before, during and after every CSU